Daily devotion – The joy and discipline of work!
2 Timothy 2:15
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
It’s nearly back-to-school time. The holiday season is drawing to an end, and normal routines are about to resume. Moments like these remind us how precious time truly is. Scripture teaches us not to waste this God-given commodity, but to redeem it wisely.
Paul exhorted the young pastor Timothy to be diligent and zealous in all that he did for the Lord. The emphasis in this verse is clear: the workman is to labour faithfully so that, when his work is examined, he will have no cause for shame. To “rightly divide” the Word means to cut straight—like a craftsman cutting timber or a seamstress sewing a straight seam. Care, precision, and intention are required.
An approved worker diligently studies the Word of God and seeks first to apply it to his own life. An ashamed worker, however, wastes time with empty religious activity and is left with little or nothing of substance to give to a class or congregation.
Scripture consistently affirms the value of work:
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” (2 Thessalonians 3:10)
Work requires time, discipline, and effort. As the people of God, we are not called to idleness, but to faithful service—serving our Lord in every way He enables us.
This applies to our children as well. Each child should have responsibilities and tasks to contribute to the running of the home.
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” (Proverbs 20:11)
Let us therefore give our days and our hours to diligently serve the Lord with the time He has entrusted to us. And in all that we do, may God alone receive the glory.